Rockets' storylines for the second half of the season

February 18, 2014 11:31 AM

Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

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Now that the All-Star break has passed, the Rockets have the remainder of the season to angle themselves into the postseason. Rockets reporter Jonathan Feigen gives his 10 storylines to watch as the rest of the season unfolds. less

Now that the All-Star break has passed, the Rockets have the remainder of the season to angle themselves into the postseason. Rockets reporter Jonathan Feigen gives his 10 storylines to watch as the rest of the ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Now that the All-Star break has passed, the Rockets have the... Photo-5902526.80203 - Houston Chronicle

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1. Can Omer Asik find happiness off the Rockets bench – or can the Rockets find a taker for the remainder of his contract, including next season’s $15 million payment?

1. Can Omer Asik find happiness off the Rockets bench – or can the Rockets find a taker for the remainder of his contract, including next season’s $15 million payment?

2. Also worth watching in Thursday’s trade deadline maneuvers will be whether the Rockets take on additional salary past the 2015 offseason. If they are in position to be significantly under the salary cap this summer, they could pick up their option on another season of Chandler Parsons’ small rookie deal this offseason and seek to sign him as an unrestricted free agent in 2015. If they are to be over the cap that summer anyway, it could signal they will let him become an unrestricted free agent after this season to sign him to a long-term deal a year early without the greater threat of losing him if they wait. less

2. Also worth watching in Thursday’s trade deadline maneuvers will be whether the Rockets take on additional salary past the 2015 offseason. If they are in position to be significantly under the salary cap ... more

3. With this week’s trade deadline and Daryl Morey’s history of never letting a deadline pass without a deal, the Rockets will search for the right upgrade to bump them up into contender status, or might just collect a few future assets to bolster their position the next time he is shopping for reinforcements. less

3. With this week’s trade deadline and Daryl Morey’s history of never letting a deadline pass without a deal, the Rockets will search for the right upgrade to bump them up into contender status, or might ... more

4. As much as Dwight Howard’s numbers resemble last season’s, he has been much healthier and happier and lately more dominant, too. For the Rockets, a key to the remainder of the season could be whether he takes that recent trend to the next level. less

4. As much as Dwight Howard’s numbers resemble last season’s, he has been much healthier and happier and lately more dominant, too. For the Rockets, a key to the remainder of the season could be whether he ... more

5. James Harden’s 3-point shooting touch has fallen off sharply from his first season with the Rockets. His scoring and shooting percentage is down from last season, but that is largely because he has not shot as well from distance. The Rockets might need him to regain last season’s 3-point shooting success. less

5. James Harden’s 3-point shooting touch has fallen off sharply from his first season with the Rockets. His scoring and shooting percentage is down from last season, but that is largely because he has not ... more

6. The Rockets cannot afford to do things the Spurs’ way, with a priority on rest, but Rockets coach Kevin McHale wants to cut back on the playing time of James Harden and Chandler Parsons. No one covers more distance per game than Parsons. Only Carmelo Anthony plays more minutes per game than Harden. If they are to handle the post-season grind, they might need to lessen the regular-season load first. less

6. The Rockets cannot afford to do things the Spurs’ way, with a priority on rest, but Rockets coach Kevin McHale wants to cut back on the playing time of James Harden and Chandler Parsons. No one covers more ... more

7. James Harden to Dwight Howard has become a powerful pick-and-roll combination. There is potential to use it more often and then build even more offense around the adjustments opposing defenses will have to make to stop it. less

7. James Harden to Dwight Howard has become a powerful pick-and-roll combination. There is potential to use it more often and then build even more offense around the adjustments opposing defenses will have to ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

7. James Harden to Dwight Howard has become a powerful... Photo-5902534.80203 - Houston Chronicle

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8. The Rockets use of Pat Beverley as the starter at the point with Jeremy Lin off the bench has shown potential of working just as intended, with Beverley setting a defensive tone and serving as a low usage guard next to James Harden and Lin providing instant offense off the bench for a second unit that needs it. Injuries, however, have kept the roles changing. If the Rockets can keep the rotation intact, and play them often together to start the second and fourth quarters, there is potential for Beverley to grow into a more consistent offensive role player and Lin a more consistently aggressive scorer. less

8. The Rockets use of Pat Beverley as the starter at the point with Jeremy Lin off the bench has shown potential of working just as intended, with Beverley setting a defensive tone and serving as a low usage ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

8. The Rockets use of Pat Beverley as the starter at the point with... Photo-5902535.80203 - Houston Chronicle

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9. Currently third in the Western Conference standings, the Rockets have a chance to reach their goal of home-court advantage in the first round. It will surely be tight, with the potential for teams to go from third to sixth based on a game or two. With just one playoff series win in 16 years, the Rockets are desperate to advance this season. Home-court advantage could be crucial. less

9. Currently third in the Western Conference standings, the Rockets have a chance to reach their goal of home-court advantage in the first round. It will surely be tight, with the potential for teams to go from ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

9. Currently third in the Western Conference standings, the Rockets... Photo-5902536.80203 - Houston Chronicle

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10. Matchups might be everything. There is a danger in reading too much into regular-season results when predicting postseason success, but the Rockets would not seem to want any part of the Oklahoma City Thunder and might best avoid the Los Angeles Clippers given their two meetings with each so far this season. The remainder of the season might bring a better idea of the matchups that would better favor them and will surely determine their first-round opponent. less

10. Matchups might be everything. There is a danger in reading too much into regular-season results when predicting postseason success, but the Rockets would not seem to want any part of the Oklahoma City ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

10. Matchups might be everything. There is a danger in reading too... Photo-5902537.80203 - Houston Chronicle